V
VIN Check Engine

VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Ford Bronco II1987–1990

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

4
Years Analyzed
5
Total Recalls
98
Total Complaints
15
Reported Injuries
2
Reported Deaths

Ford Bronco II — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
19901255—
68
38
58
Avoid
198912421
62
38
54
Avoid
198803361
59
38
52
Avoid
19873162—
68
38
58
Caution

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Known Ford Bronco II Problems

Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
4

Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the Bronco II compares — best year within each era shown.

Pre-2013

Older Bronco II models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.

Proceed with Caution
1987 · 581990 · 581989 · 541988 · 52

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year Bronco II to buy?+

See the Buyer Score table above for a full ranking of every Bronco II model year.

Which Bronco II years have the most problems?+

See the year-by-year problem table for a complete breakdown.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common Bronco II problems?+

The most frequently reported Ford Bronco II issues involve: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.

Deep-Dive Research

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Ford Bronco II.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar suv vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every Bronco II year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

Run a VIN Check →